POSTED BY: Eurobasket News
Here is the weekly review of the top performing Venezuelan players, who play currently abroad.
#1. This week's number one is former international center
Gregory Echenique (206-1990, agency:
Pensack Sports, college:
Creighton, currently plays in Japan). He was the major contributor in
Fukushima's victory against the third-ranked Saga Ballooners (2-1)
84-77 in the Japanese B2 League in Saturday night's game.
Echenique had a double-double by scoring 18 points and getting 11 rebounds in 26 minutes on the court; quite an impressive performance considering it's only his first season in pro basketball. Fukushima Firebonds (1-2) are placed sixth in East group.
There are only three games left until the end of the Regular Season. So now every game will be critical.
Echenique has relatively good stats this year: 13.7ppg, 8.3rpg, 2FGP: 72.2%(13-18) and FT: 83.3% in three games he played so far.
He played for the Venezuelan senior national team year ago.
#2. Second place goes to former international forward
Michael Carrera (196-1993, agency:
BIG, college:
S.Carolina, currently plays in Spain). Carrera led
Lleida to a victory over the 13th-ranked Estudiantes (0-1) crushing them
96-66 in the Spanish LEB Gold (second division) last Friday.
He was MVP of the game. Carrera recorded a double-double by scoring 22 points and getting 11 rebounds. He also added 3 assists (made all of his six free throws). It was his first game for Lleida this season; not bad, considering it's only Carrera's first season in pro basketball. His team is placed sixth in the LEB Gold.
But this is still an early stage of the season and everything may happen.
Former Trotamundos de Carabobo starter played for the Venezuelan national team in 22.
#3. The Venezuelan player who performed third best last week abroad was former international forward
Juan Coronado (203-1990, college:
Liberty, currently plays in Spain). Coronado could not help
Cornella (0-1) to beat L'Hospitalet (1-0).
He recorded 7 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks in 27 minutes. It was his first game for Cornella this season.
The 11th-placed Cornella (0-1) was edged
64-63 on the road by the much higher-ranked (#4) L'Hospitalet in the East group.
But the season just started, so everything may happen.
Coronado has a dual citizenship: Croatian and Venezuelan.
He played for the Venezuelan national team year ago.
#4. Point guard
Angel Lugo (181-1999, currently plays in Spain) managed to help Molina Basket to win against the ninth-ranked Infante (1-1)
80-69 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) in Saturday night's game.
Lugo scored only 3 points. It was his first game for Molina this season.
His team is placed fifth in Group E-B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Lugo is another player who holds two passports: Venezuelan and Spanish.
He used to play for the Venezuelan U16 national team
back in 15.
#5. Former U18 international guard
Terry Bardasz (188-2004, currently plays in Spain) contributed to a 1-point
Porrino's victory against the tenth-ranked Avila (0-1)
59-58 in the Spanish EBA (fourth division) last Saturday.
Bardasz scored only 3 points in 10 minutes. It was his first game for Porrino this season.
His team is placed fifth in Group A-B.
But the season is still in its first stage and everything can happen.
Bardasz used to play for the Venezuelan U18 national team
years ago.
Other top Venezuelan players, who play abroad:Fernando Fuenmayor (201-C/F-2000) plays for
Obras in Argentinian La Liga
Luis Merida (190-SG) plays for
Castro in Chilean LNB
Yanitson Quintero (201-PF-1998) plays for
Osorno in Chilean LNB 2
Windi Graterol (204-C-1986) plays for
Goes in Uruguayan LUB
Yolvier Romero plays for
Puerto Montt in Chilean LNB
Joseph Campos (175-PG) plays for
Puerto Montt in Chilean LNB
Cristhian Poleo (1992) plays for
Boston College in Chilean LNB 2
Juan Fontena (196-F/C-1987) plays for
Puerto Varas in Chilean LNB
Jean Vargas (182-F) plays for
Quilicura in Chilean LNB 2
Fabrizio Pugliatti (200-G-2004) plays for
RO SAzzurra in Italian Serie A2
Notice:
The list above includes only some of the Venezuelan playing currently abroad. Go to Venezuelan Abroad Page to see completed list.
